2025 Hike Through History – Weston Aqueduct

Sunday, April 27th at 1:00 pm

. 

Join the Framingham History Center and local historian Brett Peruzzi for a captivating guided hike exploring the Weston Aqueduct, a marvel of early 20th-century engineering hidden in plain sight. Built between 1901 and 1903, this underground aqueduct was a vital link in the growing Greater Boston water supply system, carrying pristine water from the Sudbury Reservoir to the Weston Reservoir, and then onward to Boston’s northern suburbs via the Spot Pond Reservoir in Stoneham.

Under the direction of Frederic P. Stearns, chief engineer of the Metropolitan Water Board, the aqueduct became an impressive feat of civil engineering. Its stone buildings, designed by the prominent architectural firm Shepley, Rutan and Coolidge, reflect the grandeur and pride placed in public works projects of the era. Equally impressive is the Olmsted Brothers’ landscaping—best known for their work on Boston’s Emerald Necklace—which seamlessly integrated the aqueduct’s open channel sections into the surrounding natural beauty.

Along the hike, you’ll discover: 
Hidden gatehouses and stone bridges crafted with classic Renaissance Revival detailing
Stories of how Boston’s booming population at the turn of the century demanded vast new infrastructure
The ingenuity of gravity-fed water systems and why they were considered state-of-the-art
The role of the aqueduct during Boston’s historic 1911 water crisis
The aqueduct’s continued influence, even after being placed on standby in modern times
In recognition of its historical and architectural significance, the Weston Aqueduct Linear District was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1990

Wear sturdy shoes and prepare for moderate walking over varied terrain.

If you have any questions feel free to reach Claudia Ruiz, FHC Programs Manager at claudia@framinghamhistory.org.